Railroad signaling mechanism



-=-.J,.R. ALEXANDER l RILROAD SIGNALING MECHANISM NN ww 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fixed Dec.

Aug; M, 1923-.

.1. R` ALEXANDER lRAILROAD SIGNALING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 3. 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented i ii, i923.

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"Application filed December 3,1321. Serial No. 519,639.

ifi/7mm ag/ concern: lmown that i, JOHN iiLnfANnnn, nor" theV Unitedltates,resicing at Ybis invention relates to certain improvein railroad signaling ,i'nechanismv and iflation more particularly to a `mechanism of this general character oi'" a trainperated character, anditis an object vof the invention to provide a novel and improved mechanism whereinl a warning signal is adapted to operate at desiredilocat2-oas the tracl'way and also wnerein a gate a railroad crossing or the like is automatical.yT caused to lower and raise.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. novel and improved,mechanism of this general character embodying both an audible and visual signal sojthat the device may operatev with equal facility either in the daytime or after nightfall.

in additional object vot the invention is to provide a novel and improved mechanism or' Athis general character wherein agate is caused to automatically ,lower at a crossing or the like in advance o't Vthe arrival of a train at such location and wherein signaling means iscaused to operate under control for' the approaching train before the gate is lowered. Y

The. invention consists-in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of mylinproved railroad signaling mechanism whereby certain importantV advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, aswill be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel `features Vof my' invention will hereinafter be definitely claimec..

ln order that my invention may he the betterunderstoodv, I will now proceed to describe the saine with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Y

Figure lis view in `top plan and ojt i diagrammatic character illustrating a signailing mechanism constructed in accordance with an embodimentl of my invention;

Figure 2 isl an eiilald fragmentary view partly in illustrating partly in top plan -a troc' herein embodied. to-

getlici iof the parts associate l therewith;

licure 3 is sectional view taken suhnti v on th luie 3--3 0;.' Figure l ano on an enlarged scale; 1

" l is a Vin"cr-icntary view partly in fon and partit,T in sect-ion illustrati neans as herein disclosed for maintaina gate in lowered position;

ipure 5 is elevational view of a gate 1leen position and the parts concomitant y gate i. an enlarged tragmeiitarv view i' rtlv in section and partly in eiivation illustrating means Jfor cushioning the downwa` Vvmovement of a gate end eilectinaf its upward movement; andd y L Figure 7 isan elevational viewl oit one ott the columns or standards arranged remote from a signaling` station or gate.

As disclosed in Figure l ot the drawings C denotes a crossing orother station at which are arranged signaling means and gates constructed in accordance with an embodiment oi my invention.' As the structure at all ot the crossings or similar stations is oi corresponding construction and operate in the same manner, it is believed that the invention as illustrated iii the accoinpanyingr drawings is sufficient for the present disclosure. lll/Thilo in Figure l the gates, generally indicator 'at Gf, are arranged at only one side of the traclrway, it is to he understood that the same can he arranged at hot-h sides of the taclrway by duplicating the structure as herein disclosed.

Each of the gates as particularly illustrated in Figure 5, is normally in a raised or vertically disposed position and comprise: an elongated member l provided at its lower oi supported end portion with a .veiglited exten sion or tail piece 2. rllhe gate Gr is supported 'tor svvingcfing` movement by a. hori- Zontally disposed shaft 3 having each end portion enO'aged with a cross member l counecting the upper end portions of the vertically disposed members 5 of the supporting;- iframe for the `gate G.

Each et the members 41 is provided. with an internal chamber 6 in which arranged a coilspriiig 7 oic requisite tension, said sv surrounding the shaft 3 and having one en port-ion secured thereto while the opp..

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lil-fi lli) Vend portion 'of the spring 7v is lsecured to a VPivfr'tally engaged with the outer end por-VV tion of the member 1 of the: gate G is an extension rod 9 and adapted to have engaged at its freeextremity a signa-l 10 herein disclosed as a lamp, A lamp is particularly adapted for use after nightfall and it is to be understood that in .the daytime a flag is intended to be substituted for the lamp.

Pivotally engaged'with the member 1 inwardly of its outer end, as at 11, is a brace member or rod 12 having sliding connection, as at 14 with the rod 9 so that when the G:- is in its raised position, the downward movement of the rod 9 is limited. rl`his brace member also serves, as the gate is lowered, cause the extension or rod 9 to assume a nal alinement with the member 1.

When the gate G is in its lowered position, the ground rests 15 engage the roadway or other 'surface whereby the gate is further supported 'in desired position whenk lowered.

Pivotally engaged, as at 16, with Ythe upper extremity of one of theV members 5 is a sidewalk lgate 17 which raises and lowers with the rgate G. The pivoted end portion of the gate-17 is provided with a tail eX- tension-18 which is operatively connected through the medium of the link 19 with the gate G above the shaft By this arrange` ment, the gate 17 is properly operated from the gate G in its movements.

The supporting structure for the gate C is mounted upon a base 20 of cement or other material and also secured to said base 20 is Van upstanding' column or pole 21, said column or pole 21 being` also secured to the supporting structure for the gate by the clamping arms 22.

rlhe cohimn or pole 2i is of length to eX- tend to a desired altitude and is provided at its upper portion with a cross member 2?) disposed in the same general direction as the adjacent Arackimy and associated in a conventional manner with the cross member 23 and the column or pole 2l are the bracing arms 24. Y

Pivotally engaged at Q5, with the eolnmn or pole 21 at a. desired, height or altitud'e is the arm 2G of the semaphore 27. Depending` Vfrom the semaphore 27 through the instrumentality of the coil sikrring 2S or its equivalent is a. lamp 29. The lamp 29 is position substantially in longitudi-l particularly adapted for use after nightfall as during the daytime the semaphore 27 is sufficient to provide the desired visual signal.

The pivoted extremity ofthe arm 1% is provided with an extension 80, said extension 30 being in continuation of and preferably coplanar with the arm 26. Operatively engaged with'the free end portion'of the e2;- tension 30 is an upstanding rod 31 coupled by the turnbuckle 32 or the like `with the second rod 33. t f Y Y VThe upper portion of the rod iszpi'votally engaged with an endportion of a arm 3i comprised in a rock member l rock member being preferably substantial X-shaped.V rlhe member M at itseenter nl; engaged, asiat 35, withthe column orrpole at a predetermined point above the pivotal connection 25 of the semaphore arm 2G; The Second lower arm Bef of the uzemh M is operativelyengaged with a resilient member 35 secured to and extending later ally from the column or pole The outer or free end portion of the Vresilient` 35 is provided with a fork or u oke between which is arranged andA supported a helicalV spring 37 to which is secured. a heli B preferably of a clapper type. Y

Secured to the gate G ahovethe shaft 3 is a flexible member 38, preferably a'chain embodying twisted links. The member 238' passes over suitably positioned guide pulleys 39 and leads toy and is connected with a rod i0 positionedV between therails 41 of the trackway and extending longitudinally of said trackway. lnterposed in the member 38 is'aturnbuckle 112 so'that said memberl may be maintained taut. The rod 49 also preferably comprises sections connected by a turnbuckle 43 tofurther maintain the desired tautness.

The rod l0 is operatively engaged with an arm of a bell crank` lever i- Llmounted upon a support 15 for' swinging movement in a horizontal direction, said support being also preferably positioned between the rails a1. The'free end portion of the second arm of the bell crank lever tallas operatively engaged therewith alink 416 which is also oneratively engagedwith the free end portion of a beam 4:7. The end portion of the beam 17 remote from the link i6 is pivotally engaged with a support e8 whereby said beam has swingingvmovementin a horizontal direction. Y 1 Y Y Operatively engaged with the central portion of the Vbeam i7 is an arm 49 subs tially perpendicularthereto and which is disposed toward a rail 41. The extremity Y of the'arm 49 immediately adjacent the rail lg 41 is provided with a frog 50 which Vconstantly urged toward the rail and norme i maintained in contact therewith through the instrumentality of an expansihle member or coil spring 51. The frog 50 is arcuate in of the trackway.

meager form and. as a trainY passes thereover the flange ot a wheel of, the locomotive or other rolling stock passes between the head of the rail il and the frog 50and forces said frog away ronithe enacting rail, which movement results in a rocking of the beam a7 and' desired movement ofthe bell crank lever ta, causing pull to beV imposed upon the rod i-O whereby the gate G with which said rod si() is operatively engaged is caused to move downwardly. As the beam lis swung under the influence of the flange of a wheel7 the same passes beneath and is engaged'by a vertically. swinginglatch 52 whereby the gate is held in its lowered or closed position until the latch 52 is released `from the beam 47. -Y

i frog 50 is associated'withl each or" the gates G and at a sufficient distance in advance ,thereof so that it will be assured that a' gate G will be lowered at a suitable time in advanceoiI the train reaching the crossing C and byV providing two gates Geachindependently operated, it is assured that a gate will be loweredirrespective ot the direction in which the train maybe travelupon theftraclway.

The latch member 52 is pivotally supported, as at ?),by a supporting standard 54 positioned between the rails il andV in relatively close proximity to the beam 47.

The pivoted end portion of the latch member 52 is provided with a tail piece 55 with which is engaged a pair of 'flexible members or chains 56. Each of these chains 56 is disposed over suitable guide rollers 57 and is operatively engaged with a horizontally swinging beam 58. Each ot the beams 58 is positioned a suitable distance at opposite sides oit a frog and is provided intermediate its ends with an outstanding rod 59 having a frog 60 which is normally maintained in contact with the second rail 41 Upon inward movement of either of the frogs 60, the beam 58 will be swung in a direction to impose sufficient pull upon the latch member 52 to release the same from the coacting beam-47 so that the associated gate G will be permitted to assume a raised or upright position. Each of the i'rogs 60 is normally maintained in contact` with its associated rail by an expansible member or coil spring 61.

ln the present embodiment of, my invention. the semaphore 27 and the bell B are associated with only one of the gate structures and operatively engaged with each of the upper arms 62 of the member M is a.`

flexible member or chain 63 which extends upwardly in contact with the suitably positioned guide rollers 64 and is engaged with a rod 65, the rod G5 adjacent the post or column 21 being also operatively engaged with a guide pulley 66.

`ot the tracliway.

:Therods 65 at each side ot' the post or column 2l are arranged in series with adjacent rods connected by a flexible member 67 so that each oit the'rods may have a slight independent movement as the occasions ot practice may require. Certain oi' the rods 65 are supported for sliding movement by guide pulleys 68 depending trom cross memberGQ carried by a post or column y positioned at desired location along the traclrway. The rod 65 supported by ach of the cross beams 69 has operatively engaged therewith a devil-ile member 70 passing over a suitably po l guide roller 7i. and secured to a ver icallydisposed rod 72;arranged in close proximity the post or column 70.

The rod 72 preferably comprises sections connected .by a turnbuclle 73 to assure the desired tautness. The lower end por:v tion oi the rod 72 has secured thereto a iles member or chain Tel which passes under suitably located guide roller 75 and is operatively engaged with horizontally swinging beam 76 positioned between the rails il rilhe beam 76 has op tively engaged therewith a rod 77 terminating in a frog 78 normally in contact with rail -land maintained in said contact by a coil spring 79. A

As the flanges of the wheels ot the train torce the frog i8 inwardlye the ineniberull/.l is rocked, resulting in a vibration ot the resilient member 35 and of vthe semaphore so that both a visual signal and an audible signal is given of the approach of a train. rllhe wheels ot the train intermittently torce a frog 78 inwardly, whereby the requisite ringing ott the bell B is assured and the vibration of the semaphore 27 maintained. Associated with then semaphore 2i" is a spring 27 which operates imparting swinging movemenU to the semaphore independently of the train actuated members whereby the desired vibration of the sema- Vphore 27 is assured.

In Figures 2 and 3, I have illustrated in detail the structure concomitant to a frog 78 but it is to be understood that a similar structure is employed in connection with the frogs 50 and GO. ifi-.s illustrated in llignres 2 and 3, the frog proper has movement in the slots 8() provided in an end portion of casing 8l and also with an extension 82 disposed within said casing and with which a rod 77 is directly connected. The expansible member or spring 79 encircles the rod 7T and is interposed between the outer closed end of the casing 8l and the shoulder 83 provided by the inner or inserted end oi the extension 82.

From the foregoing thought to be obvious that ing mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well a railroad signallli) adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it Will also be obvious that iiiy invention is susceptible of some change and inouiieation Without'departing trom the principles and spirit thereof and Yfor this reason do not Wish toV be understood as limitingmysell to the precise arrangement and formation Vot' the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except Vas hereinafter claimed. Y

l claim:

l. ln a 'train signalingV mechanism, a sup-- port, a semaphore pivotally engaged With i gaged With each of the remaining armsof" the rock member to impart movement to the rook member for vibrating,r the sema phore and the audible signal.

2. ln a train signaling mechanism, a support, a semaphore pivotally engaged with Vsaid support, a substantially )i1-shaped rock member engaged Vwith the support, a rod opera-tively connecting one Vof the arms of 'the-rock member and the semaphore, an audible signal supported for vibration, an

operative connection between a second arm of the roclr member and the audible signal,

train actuated means operatively engaged.

With Yeach of the remaining armsY 'of the rock member imparting movement to the rock member for vibrating the semaphore and the audible signal, and a spring associated with the semaphore imparting swinging movement thereto in one direction independently of the tra-in actuated means.

3. In a train signaling mechanism, a support, a semaphore pivotally Vengaged with said support, a substantially l-shaped roel:

,member engaged with the support, a rod operatively connecting one of the arms of the rock member and the semaphore, Aan

Vaudible signal supported for vibration, Van

operative connection-between a second arm of the rook member and the audible signal,

and train actuated means operatively engaged With each of the remaining armsorF the rock member to impart movement to the rock member'for vibrating the semaphore and the audible signal.

ln testimony whereof l hereunto-affix my signature. a

Joint n. ALEmiimite.v 

